8 Mosques in Tokyo

You may not know that numerous mosques and Islamic centers for prayer or interact with local Muslim community are exist in Tokyo.

Whether you are a Muslim tourist or a tourist who is curious about the practice of Islam in Japan, this post will bring you through a list of Masjids (Mosques) and Mosallas (Prayer hall) located in Tokyo.

1. Tokyo Camii

Tokyo Camii is probably the most significant and biggest mosque in Tokyo. It was built in 1938 by community of Turkish Immigrant in Tokyo. In 1989, the mosque was destroyed because it’s already too old. The remnant and land were donated to Turkish Republic with a condition that a new mosque to be built. After that, the mosque was rebuilt in 1998 by Turkish architect Muharrem Hilmi Senalp and 70 Turkish craftsmen to resemble the blue mosque in Istanbul.

This mosque is open for daily prayers and Friday prayers. Other religious services, such as marriage, are also conducted in the center. The mosque presents Iftar all through holy Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims. Other than the many food offered during Ramadan, visitors of this mosque will also socialize with a lot of other Muslims from several backgrounds.

2. Arabic Islamic Institute Hiro Mosque

The Arabic Islamic Institute was established by Saudi Arabia Government in 1982 to strengthen friendship and enrich cultural perception between Arab country and Japanese people. It is a joint mosque and institute which offering place for daily prayer, Friday prayer, library, museum, Arabic courses, and several other religious pursuits. This place also holds another events such as symposiums and workshops specializing in Arabic/Islamic cultural relations with Japan.

3. Dar Al-Arqam Masjid (Asakusa Mosque)

Dar Al-Arqam Masjid was founded in 1998 in the centre of Tokyo. It’s got five-story building that has a library which the home of many Islamic publications in a variety of languages. Dar Al-Arqam Mosque (also known as Masjid Asakusa) is managed by the Japan Mosque Foundation (JMF). It is one of many departments of the Institute Islamic Circle of Japan.

You can reach this mosque taking Hibiya Line and stop in Minami Senju Metro Station. Other than that, you can also take JR East Joban Line or Ginza Line and stop in Asakusa Metro Station.

Located near Asakusa which famous as the place where tourists around the world gather, this mosque can be a good choice for Muslim tourists who is spending their time in Asakusa and looking for a place to pray.

4. Masjid Otsuka

Otsuka Mosque was founded in 2000 and operated by the Japan Islamic Trust. It provides facilities of Islamic education and learning as well as the praying.

Muslims not only perform regular daily prayers and Friday prayers here, they also get all religious services from education to marriage, family services, funeral ceremonies and burial help for this mosque.

This mosque is located not very far from Ikebukuro which also will be convenient for Muslim tourists who like to be around Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku areas.

5. Okachimachi Masjid (Assalaam Fundation)

As-Salaam Foundation, located in Ueno, is a non-profit, non-political, religious and academic institute. Founded in 2001, this foundation started as a formal religious organization in 2014.

It has two separate entities in the same building: community center on the 1st floor and prayer halls on the upper levels.

Other than giving place for daily prayer and Friday prayer, this mosque also manages lectures, seminars and courses for Islamic understanding, gives textbooks and free literature on Islam, educating girls and youngsters, delivers funeral facility and burial services for Muslims.

7. Kamata Mosque

Kamata Mosalla (Prayer hall) is an active prayer hall serving the Muslim group in Kamata, Japan. This mosque has encompassed three floors. The 1st floor is reserved for males while the 2nd floor is for females.